For a long time, the SAP Business Explorer (SAP BEx) has been the first choice in the SAP environment, in order to turn high-value data into useful knowledge. The flexible query, reporting, and analytical tools have provided all information needed for users working in IT departments as well as for different subject areas. Now, it’s time to gradually replace SAP BEx.

BI Technologies Regarded as Key to Successy

Today, technologies are required that can cope with rapidly increasing amounts of data in real time. According to a study by the market research company IDC, the data volume is expected to rise from 16.1 at present to 16.3 Zettabytes until the year 2025. These data hide an enormous potential. And, that’s why the topic of Business Intelligence (BI) is coming increasingly into focus. In the new SAP analytics landscape, the SAP Digital Boardroom is the ultimate cockpit for business control.

Data and analyses are cornerstones for digital companies, modern analytical solutions of the next generation the key to success. These solutions deliver information in real time and accelerate decision making, thereby boosting response speed to changing customer demands.

Into the Digital Era – with SAP Analytics Cloud or SAP BW/4HANA

SAP has submitted a solution portfolio that is able to cope with these developments – in the cloud, as well. The solution SAP Analytics Cloud fulfills all elementary requirements for analyses (reporting, analysis, planning and simulation) at a central location and processes on-premise data, likewise. In addition, the pure on-premise operating model provides established analytical software solutions. This is, where SAP BW/4HANA – a complete new data warehouse solution that is totally aligned with SAP HANA – plays a key role. This solution combines reporting, dashboards, analysis tools, and apps. Wherever you are, drill-throughs and drill-downs to other applications are possible. Analyses can now be performed significantly faster than with other systems. And, for the first time, analyses of petabyte-sized data which are needed, e.g. for IoT scenarios, are feasible.

The SAP Business Explorer belongs to the past. Instead, SAP offers diverse new analytics solutions – whether on-premise or in the cloud.

Switch to the New Analysis Solutions, Now – Yes or No?

Those who plan to count on SAP BW/4HANA in the future have to switch to the new solution. Why? The new Enterprise Data Warehouse Suite solely supports the new analytics generation. The implementation is rather simple, because it is not necessary to specially adapt the backend. Many data and elements can be further used without any modification. However, for most companies, supplementary SAP analysis solutions are advisable.

But also those companies that do not yet plan the SAP S/4HANA implementation, should consider an upgrade. Why? SAP BEx is a discontinued model: At best, SAP will support the suite just a few years more. The suite won’t be further developed, but will be put into a maintenance mode with the aim to switch it off in the medium term.

Transformation Begins with a Single Step – First, Develop a Digital Strategy

The decision for or against the new analytics generation is of strategic importance. Do you want to find out more about our analysis and BI solutions? Just visit our corresponding websites or contact us directly.

Author:
Georg Aholt

Since the year 2000, Georg Aholt, economist and business information systems engineer, has been focused on the topic analytics from the professional, content-related as well as processual and technological point of view. As leader of the department “Business Analytics & Information Management” at itelligence, he is responsible for the solution and product portfolio in the German market.